Apparatus for packaging strand material



s. R. GENSON Dec. 5, 1967 APPARATUS FOR PACKAGNG STRAND MATERIAL 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed DeC. 23, 1964 INVENTOR SAMz/.a R. @EA/50N Dec. 5, 1967 s. R. GENSON 3,356,304

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING STRAND MATERIAL Filed Dec. 23, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. SAMUEL R. QENSON Arron/Ev United States Patent O M 3,356,304 APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING STRAND MATERIAL Samuel R. Genson, Bowling Green, Ohio, assignor to i This invention relates generally to improved apparatus for packaging strand material. More particularly, this invention relates to improved traversing mechanism for traversing strand material being wound on a rotating support.

Although the apparatus of this invention is applicable to the winding and traversing of many types of continuous strands, it is part-icularly adapted for use with the packaging of thermoplastic materials such as glass strands, and hence will be described in that connection.

Continuous glass fibers are commercially produced by exuding a multiplicity of molten streams from a feeder and applying sufficient pulling force to the streams to attenuate them into fine filaments. A number of filaments are converged to form a strand which is wound into a package on a rotating support. Initially, the glass streams are manually drawn and a few turns wound onto the support to start the winding operation. It is with this phase of the winding operation that the instant invention is particularly concerned.

During the start-up or commencing of the winding operation on a particular rotating support, the attendant operator after manually drawing the filaments, gathers them into a bundle and holds the bundle with one hand while he winds a few turns on the Winding support with the other hand. Consequently, the facility of commencing the winding operation is largely contingent upon the dexterity of the attendant operator, particularly when plural strands are being wound from a single feeder.

Normally, the strands travel in paths which are generally perpendicular to the winding axis and are moved along the periphery of the rotating support in a cycle including a progressive and a regressive motion by a traversing mechanism which displaces the strands slightly from their normally perpendicular paths to define a series of bights. The traversing action just described may be termed as a primary traverse and the axial extent of the progressive and regressive motion by the primary traverse may be termed the effective traversing area.

In addition, a secondary traverse may be superimposed by moving either the winding support in an axial direction or by moving the primary traversing mechanism in an axial direction at the same time that the primary traverse mechanism is rotatedT he secondary traverse moves the series of bights across the face of the package being formed. 4

It is a primary object of this invention to provide apparatus for facilitating the winding of plural strands from a single source into strand packages.

It is another object to provide apparatus for winding strand packages which reduces the skill required by the attendant operator in the start-up of a winding procedure, and particularly where plural strands are involved According to the invention, a member having a face surface transverse to the winding axis of the rotating support is provided adjacent to or forms a part of the primary traversing mechanism to temporarily restrain the axial movement of the strand being Wound during the start-up. The surface is preferably in a plane radial to at least a portion of the primary traversing mechanism. After commencement of the winding operation, the surface is moved from the restraining position whereby the strand moves in an axial direction to assume the normal traversing 3,355,304 Patented Dec. 5, 1967 position. For purposes of description in the instant application, that part of the operation corresponding to the starting of the rotation of the primary traversing mechanism may be termed the commencement of the winding operation.

In a specific embodiment, the primary traversing mechanism comprises a centrally related supporting and rotatable axle disposed adjacent and parallel to the support upon which the strand package is being formed. The traversing mechanism further comprises cam means for moving the strand along the periphery of the support in a cycle including what may be termed a progressive and a regressive motion. Two cam surface sets, with one or more cam surfaces in each set, are provided. The cam surfaces of one set are in inclined facial opposition to those of the other set to prov-ide means for producing the progressive and regressive motions of the primary traversing action. Concomitant with the primary or fast traverse, a slow or secondary traverse takes place. This slow traverse is accomplished by either moving the rotating package in an axial direction while maintaining the fast traversing mechanism relatively stationary in an axial sense or by moving the primary traverse slowly in an axial sense. One of the cams of the primary traversing mechanism is provided with a step formation to define a face or surface which extends in a plane radial to the axis of the primary traversing mechanism. This face also extends in a plane through which other of the cams pass as they rotate so that the strand will be moved out of the temporary restraining position by engagement with a landing portion of one of said other cams.

Further details and other objects and advantages of this invention may appear from the following description of preferred species of this invention and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view of apparatus for forming and winding strand material illustrating the strand position during the starting cycle;

FIG. 2 is a View similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the strand positions during the traversing cycle;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the primaryl traversing mechanism shown in, but rotated from the position of, FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic and isometric representation of an alternate embodiment of the winding apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial representation of a further embodiment of primary traversing mechanism; and

FIG. 7 is a View of an alternate primary traverse embodying a barrel-type cam body.

Apparatus of the type suitable for commercial production of glass fibers is illustrated in FIG. l wherein a molten glass feeder or bushing is generally designated by the numeral 10. Bushing 10 is provided with a plurality of orices 12, in its bottom wall 14, from which molten streams of glass are exuded into filaments 16. Filaments 16 are converged into one or more strands 18 at the converging and treating pads 20. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustratetwo strands 118 being formed. Means may also be provided for applying a bonding agent, or other treating material, to treat the filaments 16 and the integrated strand 18. The treating material may be applied by a nozzle 17 or other suitable apparatus.y The strand 18 is advanced to package supports 22 mounted on the Winder 23 which includes a rotatable mandrel 24 rotated by shaft 26 and powered by motor 28.

To facilitate the description, the letter suffixes A and B are employed to designate the inner (left) and other (right) strands respectively and their related corresponding ele-ments of the winding apparatus.

The traversing mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 30, is positioned between the pads 20 and the winder 23 to traverse the strands 18 across the faces of supports 22. The traversing mechanism 3f), which may be designated as a primary traverse, is illustrated as being mounted for rotation on shaft 32 of motor 34 supported on a base 36. The traversing mechanism 30 may be generally of the form shown in the Hayden et al. U.S. Patent No. 3,040,999 but with certain exceptions hereinafter described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shafts 26 and 32 are preferably positioned horizontally in parallel spaced relation and the motor 28 is mounted on a rail 38 for reciprocating the package support 22 longitudinally along its axis in the direction `of arrow 4t) to effect what may be termed a secondary traverse. When package support 22 is centered within the limits of reciprocal movement of the secondary traverse, as may be observed in FIG. 2, the strand 18 extending from the converging pad 20 bisects the primary traversing mechanism 30 and the support 22 in a generally vertical plane. As may be seen in FIG. 4, the pad 20 is positioned so that its outer surface is slightly displaced from a generally perpendicular line extending from the center of bushing to the outer periphery of support 22 to bias the strand 18 against the cam faces of traverse 30. In a typical embodiment, the primary traverse 30 moves the strand 18 approximately 3 inches along the axial extent of the package support 22 and then returns the strand to define a bight. The progressive and regressive movements of the strand 18 are alternately repeated to define a series of bights. A series of bights are advanced from one end of the package to the other end by the secondary traversing action or axial movement of the winder along rail 38, as indicated by arrow 40, to produce a package approximately 51/2 inches long.

It will be understood that the secondary traversing action may also be effected by holding the package support 22 stationary and moving the primary traverse 30 in an axial direction along the base 36.

While FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the filaments 16 being formed into two strands, it will be understood that the filaments from a single bushing or source may be converged into one strand or split into more than two strands and wound on a corresponding number of winders for simultaneous winding.

The form of the primary traversing mechanism 30, shown in detail in FIG. 3 resembles a reel in substantially concentric relation with first hub 42 secured to extension 32A of shaft 32. At an opposite end of the shaft 32 or extension 32 is a second hub 44. Intermediate the two hubs 42 and 44 are two sets of cams 46 and 48 defined by rods 46X, 46Y, 46Z; and 48X, 48Y and 48Z respectively. The series of rods designated by the numeral 46 contact the strand to traverse the strand in a left-hand direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 in what may be termed a progressive movement. The second series of cams designated by the numeral 48 contact the strand to move the strand to the right in what may be termed a regressive movement. The effective cam surfaces of cams 48X, 48Y and 48Z are identical in configuration, but of opposite hand, to cams 46X, 46Y and 46Z, respectively. Also, all of the cams are generally of the same configuration, except for the differences in cam shapes, and except for the fact that cam 46X is provided with a step formation 50 which defines a transverse surface 52 for purposes to be hereinafter described.

An important feature of this invention is the provision of mechanical means for restraining movement of the strands 18 during start-up. A restraining member having a surface 52 which is transverse to the rotating axis of shaft 32 is provided for this purpose.

As may be viewed in FIG. 1, during the starting phase or cycle of the winding operation, the strands 18 are displaced from generally vertical positions to positions which are inclined toward the end face 40 of the mandrel 4 24 about which the strands 18 are to be wound. Without the transverse face 52 the strands 18 would tend to revert to generally vertical positions and the attendant operator would have difiiculty in threading the separate strands 18 and starting the winding operation.

During the initial phase of the winding operation, the attendant operator manually draws the filaments 16 from the gathering devices 20 toward the end face 40 and on starting surface 41 of the winding mandrel 24. The provision of the transverse face 52 enables the operator to position the strands 18 in virtually radial alignment with the starting surface of the mandrel 24 and the strands 18 are restrained from reverting to their normal winding positions until such time that the operator starts the rotation of primary traversing mechanism 30'. When the primary traversing :mechanism 30` is started and the cams 46 and 48 rotate, the strands 18 are displaced from the starting notch or step formation 50 and out of engagement with the transverse face 52 of cam 46X onto a generally axial extending surface or landing 54 of cam 46Y. The tension of the strand 18A between the winding mandrel 24 and the gathering wheel 20A is suliicient to cause the strand 18A to move across primary traverse 30 across the smooth surfaced spacer 56 and onto primary traverse 30A. The strand 18A then seeks a normal vertical position. Both of the strands 18A and 18B move to the positions wherein they are in engagement with the effective strand engaging surfaces of their respective primary tral versing mechanisms 30.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of winding apparatus wherein a privotable finger 60 is provided to define a surface 152 transverse to winding axis and to restrain the strand 18 to be wound during the starting cycle. The finger 60 is supported for pivotal movement by hub 62 suitably mounted on support 64. Arm 66 forms an extension of finger 60 and is conformed to facilitate gripping and rotation by the attendant operator. Retaining means in the form of clip 68 is provided to secure finger 60 against rotation during the main phase of the winding procedure. The primary traverse shown in FIG. 5 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, except that all of the cams 146 may be identical, that is to say, a cam 46X having a step formation is not necessary.

The elements of traverse 130 are designated by numerals in the one hundred series, otherwise the numerals correspond to similar elements of and the operation is the same as with traverse 30.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the attendant operator draws the strand 18 over the finger 60 in the same manner as described in conjunction with transverse face 52. After initial threading onto the starting surface 141, the operator starts the rotation of the primary traverse 130 and pivots the finger 68 out of the axial advancing path of the strand 18. The strand 18 then moves to the normal winding position, into engagement with the cam surfaces of the traversing mechanism 130.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 requires separate mounting means for the pivotable finger 60 and hence may be objectionable in some winding operations. It will be apparent that the finger 60 may be employed in conjunction with various types of cams, for example, a barrel type such as illustrated in FIG. 7 but not having the step formation 350.

FIG. 6 illustrates the manner in which a two wire cam traverse 230, generally of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,391,870 to Beach, may be reconstructed to embody the starting notch feature of this invention. The elements of the traverse 230 are designated by numerals in the two hundred series, otherwise, the numerals correspond to similar elements of and the operation is similar to traverse 30.

FIG. 7 illustrates a barrel cam type primary traverse 330, which may be substituted for the wire cam type traverse 30 in the winding apparatus illustrated in FIGS` l and 2. The traverse 330 has a step formation 350, comparable to the step formation 50 of traverse 30. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the operation of winding apparatus employing the traverse 330 is comparable to that apparatus employing a traverse 30 and hence needs no further description. The elements of traverse 330 are designated -by numerals in the three hundred series, otherwise the numerals correspond to similar elements of traverse 30.

Having thus described my invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that these details are for the purpose of illustration and that various changes and modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a winding mechanism, including a rotatable support for receiving a continuous strand thereon, and 4rotatable traversing means for' engaging and traversing said strand axially along said support, said traversing means including a plurality of cam surfaces defining an effective traversing area, the improvement wherein:

(a) said traversing means also defines a landing,

(b) at least one of said cams has a transverse surface which is in a plane generally radial to the axis of rotation of said traversing means and in lateral alignment with said landing but axially spaced from said effective traversing area, whereby the strand may be restrained against axial movement by said transverse surface during the starting cycle of the winding operation and automatically transferred to said effective traversing area by said landing upon rotation of said traversing means.

2. In winding mechanism, including a rotatable and cantilevered support for receiving a plurality of continuous strands, and a number of rotatable traversing means, corresponding in number to the number of packages to be formed, for engaging and traversing said strands axially along said support, the improvement wherein:

(a) each of said traversing means includes cam means defining an effective traversing area;

(b) each of said traversing means also defining a landing adjacent to and leading to said effective traversing area,

(c) the traversing means corresponding to the strand to be wound at the outermost position on said cantilevered support having a transverse portion which is in a plane generally radial to the axis of rotation of and in lateral alignment with the landing of said traversing means at said outermost position, whereby the strands may be restrained against axial movement by said transverse portion during a starting cycle of the winding operation.

3. The mechanism as described in claim 2 which further comprises: smooth surface spacer means between each pair of said traversing means, -along which smooth surface the inner strands may pass from the traversing means corresponding to the outermost position to the traversing means corresponding to the respective winding position of said inner strands.

4. Rotatable traversing mechanism for moving a strand being wound along the axial extent of the strand package being formed, which traversing mechanism comprises:

(a) progressive cam means for imparting a progressive axial motion to said strand;

(b) regressive cam means for imparting a regressive axial motion to the said strand;

(c) said progressive and said regressive cam means defining an effective traversing area;

(d) transverse means defining a surface transverse to the axis of rotation of said traversing mechanism for restraining axial motion of said strand during the starting cycle of the winding procedure; and

(e) directing means defining a landing in a plane radial to said axis and extending through said transverse means but axially displaced from said effective traversing area,

(f) said directing means serving to direct said strand from said transverse means to said effective traversing area upon rotation of said traversing mechamsm.

5. Apparatus for winding strand about the periphery of a support, which apparatus comprises:

(a) a source `for supplying said strand;

(b) means for rotating said support about a first axis spaced from said source;

(c) a traversing mechanism, rotatable about a second axis which is generally parallel and adjacent to said first axis, for moving said strand along the periphery of said support in a cycle including a progressive and a regressive motion in an effective traversing area, said traversing mechanism including:

(1) progressive means having a cam surface for imparting said progressive motion,

(2) regressive means having a cam surface for imparting said regressive motion,

(3) a landing surface, adjacent to and leading to said effective traversing area, and being radially outward from said second axis at least as far as one of said cam surfaces, and

(4) restraining means defining a transverse vsurface which is in a plane generally normal to said second axis and extending through said landing whereby said strand may be restrained against axial movement during the starting cycle of a winding procedure and automatically transferred to said effective traversing area upon rotation of said traversing mechanism.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A WINDING MECHANISM, INCLUDING A ROTATABLE SUPPORT FOR RECEIVING A CONTINUOUS STRAND THEREON, AND ROTATABLE TRAVERSING MEANS FOR ENGAGING AND TRAVERSING SAID STRAND AXIALLY ALONG SAID SUPPORT, SAID TRAVERSING MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CAM SURFACES DEFINING AN EFFECTIVE TRAVERSING AREA, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN: (A) SAID TRAVERSING MEANS ALSO DEFINES A LANDING, (B) AT LEAST ONE OF SAID CAMS HAS A TRANSVERSE SURFACE WHICH IS IN A PLANE GENERALLY RADIAL TO THE EXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID TRAVERSING MEANS AND IN LATERAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID LANDING BUT AXIALLY SPACE FROM SAID EFFECTIVE TRAVERSING AREA, WHEREBY THE STRAND MAY BE RESTRAINED AGAINST AXIAL MOVEMENT BY SAID TRANSVERSE SURFACE DURING THE STARTING CYCLE OF THE WINDING OPERATION AND AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO SAID EFFECTIVE TRAVERSING AREA BY SAID LANDING UPON ROTATION OF SAID TRAVERSING MEANS. 